Game Preview
As the Phoenix Suns (13-11) prepare to host the struggling Portland Trail Blazers (8-17) on Sunday, the narrative surrounding these two teams couldn't be more different. The Suns have found their stride, winning their last game and hovering around a 54% win rate on the season. Their offensive firepower is undeniable, averaging nearly 114 points per contest behind a blistering 47% shooting from the field and a shade over 38% from beyond the arc.
While Phoenix's defense has been somewhat suspect, allowing 114 points per game, their balanced attack and playmaking ability have kept them firmly in the playoff hunt. The Suns are dishing out an impressive 27 assists per night, led by the facilitating brilliance of Chris Paul and the scoring prowess of Devin Booker. On the glass, Deandre Ayton has anchored the rebounding efforts, grabbing just over 10 boards a game to complement his efficient interior scoring.
In stark contrast, the Trail Blazers have stumbled out of the gates, losers of five straight and owning a dismal 32% win percentage. Portland's issues start on the offensive end, where they've mustered just 107 points per game on a pedestrian 44% shooting clip. Damian Lillard has fought valiantly, but the lack of a consistent second scoring option has hamstrung the Blazers' attack.
Defensively, the numbers don't get much prettier, with Portland surrendering a whopping 116 points per night. They've been abysmal over their last five games, allowing a staggering 126 points per contest during this losing skid. The Blazers will need to tighten up on both ends and find some semblance of consistency if they hope to turn their season around and make this a competitive matchup against the surging Suns.